| A history of Nottinghamshire |
| |
| Farming landscape |
| The rolling countryside of Nottinghamshire has been farmed for thousands of years. Aerial photographs show evidence of field patterns dating back to pre-Roman times in north Nottinghamshire. |
| |
| Open fields |
 | | Laxton fields |
In the medieval period most villagers farmed their land on an open-field system. Each farmer worked scattered "strips" of land among several large, unhedged fields. At Laxton the fields are still farmed this way. |
| |
| |
| All change |
Elsewhere the end of the open system came in the 18th century when fields were "enclosed" by acts of Parliament. Individual plots were distributed between farmers. Hedges and farmhouses began to dominate the countryside. In modern times industrial farming has resulted in the loss of many hedgerows and woodland although conservation bodies are campaigning to preserve important areas of natural and historic landscape. |
| |
| Country houses |
 | | Wollaton Hall |
Although many country houses have vanished from history there are some which survive to this day. Sir Francis Willoughby used income from land and coal deposits to build Wollaton Hall, just outside Nottingham, in the 1580s. |
| Nice place |
| Several houses were built following the dissolution (closure) of religious houses, including Welbeck Abbey, Rufford Abbey and Newstead Abbey, which became home to the Byron family. |
| |
| In Victorian times the eccentric 5th Duke of Portland lived at Welbeck. He built a network of subterranean rooms, including a chapel and ballroom. |
| |
 | | Clumber Park |
Built in the 1770s, Clumber was the "seat" of the powerful Dukes of Newcastle. Although demolished in 1938, the National Trust now has its regional office in the outbuildings. A number of other Victorian houses have also survived, including Kelham Hall, which is now the offices of Newark and Sherwood District Council, and Bestwood Lodge, now used as a hotel. |
 |
